United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis will be retiring at the end of February, President Donald Trump said in a surprise announcement via Twitter.
General Jim Mattis will be retiring, with distinction, at the end of February, after having served my Administration as Secretary of Defense for the past two years. During Jim’s tenure, tremendous progress has been made, especially with respect to the purchase of new fighting….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018
….equipment. General Mattis was a great help to me in getting allies and other countries to pay their share of military obligations. A new Secretary of Defense will be named shortly. I greatly thank Jim for his service!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018
The Pentagon released Mattis’ resignation letter, in which the top defense official indicated he is leaving because of fundamental disagreements on security issues.
“My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues,” the secretary wrote.
“Because you have the right to have a secretary of defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position,” he went on.
While reported tensions between Mattis and Trump have led to speculation that his days were numbered, the abrupt timing comes as the US president handles complex negotiations on budget legislation ahead of the Christmas holiday.
It also comes after the president’s announcement that the US will withdraw all troops from Syria, a decision that his cabinet, including Mattis, did not support.
Read Mattis’ full resignation letter.
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to everyone! Peace and goodwill!
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to everyone! Peace and goodwill!
Yes, one monster out!
Yes, one monster out!
Not to everyone. I hear some provinces of China have banned Christmas…. what an evil government that is.
Not to everyone. I hear some provinces of China have banned Christmas…. what an evil government that is.
William Hunter if what you are saying is true I think it is a genius thing. But, it probabli is a fake news.
Christmas is a Western invention created by the Vatican amny centuries ago. It had the purpose to make people believe it was the birth of Christ. Since then it symbolizes caring for each other ONE DAY IN A YEAR.. that is a pity. Now, it has become a day to buy, and buy, and buy. It is good if you have money to spare but what about for people can not afford to do that? In a way it is a sadist spectacle because a large proportion of people around the world including USA can not afford to do it.
William Hunter if what you are saying is true I think it is a genius thing. But, it probabli is a fake news.
Christmas is a Western invention created by the Vatican amny centuries ago. It had the purpose to make people believe it was the birth of Christ. Since then it symbolizes caring for each other ONE DAY IN A YEAR.. that is a pity. Now, it has become a day to buy, and buy, and buy. It is good if you have money to spare but what about for people can not afford to do that? In a way it is a sadist spectacle because a large proportion of people around the world including USA can not afford to do it.
William Hunter YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS, DO YOU? STUPIDITY AT ITS FINEST!
William Hunter YOU BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS, DO YOU? STUPIDITY AT ITS FINEST!
I ALWAYS BELIEVE BRITISH ARE THE WORLD’s SMARTEST PEOPLE ON EARTH! MAYBE SMART ENOUGH TO FOLLOW ORDERS?
Richard Truong HOPEFULLY WON’T GET RELEASE TILL NEXT YEAR!
Richard Truong HOPEFULLY WON’T GET RELEASE TILL NEXT YEAR!
THANK YOU DONALD DUMB FOR BEING DUMB!
THANK YOU DONALD DUMB FOR BEING DUMB!
EVERYTHING IS SO ADVANCED IN CHINA TODAY THAT MADE THE ROGUE US STATES LOOKS LIKE A WASTELAND!
EVERYTHING IS SO ADVANCED IN CHINA TODAY THAT MADE THE ROGUE US STATES LOOKS LIKE A WASTELAND!
William Hunter
I also think XMas has not much meaning. If you are religious, focus more on thinking and behaving according to the religious teavmching and less on the symbolic things. That’s make you a better person.
William Hunter
I also think XMas has not much meaning. If you are religious, focus more on thinking and behaving according to the religious teaching and less on the symbolic things. That’d make you a better person.
William Hunter
I also think XMas has not much meaning. If you are religious, focus more on thinking and behaving according to the religious teaching and less on the symbolic things. That’d make you a better person.
Good riddance.
Hope Zionist neo-con looney John Bolton would follow suit.
Good riddance.
Hope Zionist neo-con looney John Bolton would follow suit.